Dry January as your New Year's Resolution?

Hi, I wish you a (early) Happy New Year! 🎉

2023 was a year full of ups and downs for me, including the ending of a 13-year relationship, so I look forward to a fresh new year. How about you?

With the New Year right around the corner, many of us make New Year's resolutions. Some of my friends are committing to "Dry January". What a great idea!

Let's be real: alcohol can be awesome. It can make you more sociable and fun, less anxious, and it temporarily numbs the feelings and stressors that come with everyday life.

What's not to like!?!

But if you've been noticing a little voice in your head telling you that you've been drinking too much in 2023, know that you are not alone and that you can change it.

Let this be your wake-up call to cut back on alcohol or eliminate it completely from your life.

It's been over twelve years since I had my last drink.

Why did I quit drinking?

I stopped because ...

• I was sick of waking up with a hangover.
• Alcohol was bad for my mental well-being; it relaxed me in the moment but depressed me over time.
• I was inspired (and scared) by Caroline Knapp's memoir "Drinking: A Love Story​"

How did I quit? I quit cold turkey. I had my last drink in June 2011. For me, it was easier to quit cold turkey than to try cutting down gradually.

Why? When I give myself any wiggle room, it's too easy to come up with excuses ("It's a special occasion," "one drink won't make a difference," "my friends will think I am boring"). And then it becomes a slippery slope towards drinking regularly again.

Initially, I set a goal not to have a drink for one week. One week turned into two weeks; then four weeks. Hey, I can do this! Soon, one month turned into many months. And as they say, "the rest is history".

Over time, I replaced alcohol with yoga, daily walks in nature, creative hobbies, and -- yes, I admit it -- chocolate.

I love waking up with a clear head and (on most days) a smile on my face.

So, consider giving yourself the gift of Dry January in 2024! It might be the beginning of a healthier, happier you.

Here are some Dry January resources for you:

• Read this article by Harvard Health for helpful tips.
• Find Facebook Groups focused on supporting people during Dry January by searching for "Dry January" within the Facebook app.
• Attend the Sober Curious Dry January Weekend Retreat at Kripalu in the Berkshires, where I served on the Board of Trustees for 8 years.

If you would rather try "Damp January", where you cut back on alcohol rather than eliminating it completely, you might enjoy my previous blog post titled "11 Tips for Cutting Back Your Alcohol Consumption."

So, cheers to a healthier and happier you!

If you want to chat with me about my experience with quitting alcohol, email me. I'd love to hear from you.

Best,

Christine

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